MTNL, BMC discuss WiFi network for all civic buildings

A decision is yet to be taken on whether citizens visiting these civic buildings would be given access.As of now, only civic employees would be allowed to use the service.TNN | August 29, 2016, 08:36 IST

Mumbai: The BMC, after enabling WiFi in two of the heritage halls of the recently restored civic headquarters, is in talks with Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) to provide connectivity in all its building, including schools, fire stations and ward offices, by September 30.

A decision is yet to be taken on whether citizens visiting these civic buildings would be given access. As of now, only civic employees would be allowed to use the service.

The restoration of the heritage wing of the BMC headquarters is in the final leg. As a pilot project, WiFi had been installed in two heritage halls of the wing.

The BMC administration and the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP combine last year faced severe criticism when they approved a contract for providing tabs to BMC school students and teachers.

The opposition had said that while tabs were given to students, lack of internet connectivity would render the appliances useless as the kids would not be able to transfer data to teachers to get their exercises checked. It is learned that civic officials can use their employee identity number to log into the system.

Several people ET spoke with about Ericsson’s India operations, including its current and former employees, said the Stockholm-based firm has reduced headcount in the last one year or so across functions, in line with its global restructuring.